Door lock



J. HILLGREN May 16, 1944.

DOOR LOCK Filed June 29, i940 5 sheets-sheet 1 N h m w M wa v May 15, 1944- J. HILLGREN 4 2,348,737

DOOR LOCK Filed June 29, 1940 5 5 Sheefs-Sheet Ffa. a

Jen/m5 fu/'LL GEEN May 16, 1944. J. HILLGRN 2,348,737

" DooR LOCK Filed June 29, 1940 s sheets-sheet s m? Wl FIG. A9.

Snoentor Patented May 16, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENTFGFFICE DOOR LOCK James Hillgren, Huntington Park, Calif. Application June 29, 194:0,A Serial No. 343,191 11 claims. Y(C1. 7,0-150) My present invention relates to locks, particularly building door locks.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a latch bolt mechanism having a minimum number of operating and other parts, and also one which is easily assembled in a one-piece housing and held together by a single Din.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a latch bolt mechanism having a sin-A gle spring, and one of substantial size, for ejecting the bolt and returning the operating member to an inoperative position.

An important object of this invention also is to provide an actuating spring and associated elements for a latch bolt mechanism in which the operating spindle or other member is required to be operated or moved a small amount only to retract the latch member or bolt, and

in which only slight resistance is offered to the inward movement or retraction of the latch member or bolt, relative to the force required to operate the spindle or operating member.

An important object of this invention isto provide a novel and simple spindle construction for operating the latch member or bolt, and also to provide novel and simple means of securing the spindle in the knobs, or other operating members, and further novel and simple means of non-rotatively securing the spindle within the knobs or other operating members. Y

An important feature of this invention is to provide a novel and simple means of locking a latch member or bolt in a locking position, and also novel means of operating the same.`

, One ofthe'objects of this invention is to pro# vide novel and simple means of assembling the operating or locking elements in the knobs. v

Av still further important object of this invention is to provide a simple lock of this class for locking the door when in one room, but in which the lock may be unlocked by appropriate auxiliary means from the opposite side of the door.

It is a general object of this invention to pro-v vide a lock of this class whichlis simple and economical of construction and simple and econom-4 ical to install.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have devised a door lock having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference thereon, 55

which form a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1j' is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view of my lock, in its preferred form of construction, installed in a door, showing the latch bolt mechanism in longitudinal section, and also showing some of the parts unsectioned to facilitate the illustration; I Y

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section thereof, taken through 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial end and partial sectional view of the outside knob of my lock, with the view taken through 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 and 5 are sectional views thereof, taken respectively through 4-4 and 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an inside View of the locking slide;

Fig. 'l is a sectional view thereof, taken through 'l-'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the inside knob, taken at 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views thereof, taken through 9-9 and l 0 1 0 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 9a is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the inner knob and the buttonfor actuating the inner end of the locking spindle.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the latch bolt mechanism;

Fig. 12 is an outer' end view thereof;

Figs. 13, 14, and 15 are sections taken respectivelyY through I3-|3, |4-|4, and i5-I5 of Fig. 11'.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to that of Fig. 11 but showing the bolt in a retracted position;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view of the inner end o,f the latch bolt mechanism, substantially as shown in Fig. 11, .but showing the bolt actuating means in a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view through I8-I8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view of my lock in a slightly modified form of construction, for use on inside doors; I

Fig. '20 is an end view of the normally outer knob, taken at 20-20 of Fig. 19; and,

Fig. 21 is av sectional view thereof, taken through 2 |-'-2| of Fig. 19.

My latch boltmechanism is enclosed in a housing I which is of substantially circular cross--` section except for slightly flattened opposite sides, as shown in Figs. 13. 14, and 15, so that it may be easily inserted into a drilled, hole in the edge of the door. In the recess of the housing are reciprocally mounted a latch bolt 2 anda latch boltactuating member 3, the former at the outer end and the latter at the inner end thereof, taken of the housing. The bolt has a cut-out portion 2EL at its inner end, providing at one side a p0rtion 2b which extends backwardly into a cut-out portion 3a at one side of the actuating member. Thus, the two members overlap each other. Within the cut-out portion 2a is located a compression spring 4 which normally separates the bolt and actuating member, forcing the bolt outwardly to its normal latching position. The spring is of relatively large diameter and relatively long, extending into a recess of the bolt, thus insuring greater resiliency and longer life of the spring.

At one side of the cut-out portion of the actuating member is an outward extension 3b, in which is provided a longitudinal slot 3C, in which is located the hub of a rocker 5. The rocker is pivoted on a pin 6, supported in the opposite flat walls of the housing. This rocker has diametrically opposite arms, namely a short arm 5a extending into a transverse notch 3d at the outer side of the longitudinal slot, and a longer arm 5b extending into a transverse notch 2c in the backward projection 2b of the bolt. The longitudinal slot permits the actuating member 3 to be reciprocated freely.

As the actuating member 3 is forced outwardly, as will be described hereafter, the shoulder, forming the inner side of the notch 3d, engages the short arm vof the rocker 5 and forces the end of the longer arm 5b, which is bent backwardly slightly, against a corresponding shoulder forming the inner side' of the notch 2, withdrawing or retracting the bolt.

In the door is provided the usual latch operating spindle I I. The cross-section of the spindle, in this instance, is semi-circular, with the ilat side outwardly, and the opposite edges engaging the inner end of the actuating member 3, as shown. At the axial portion of the operating spindle is provided a locking spindle I2, which is preferably a rod of relatively small diameter and is rotatable with respect to the operating spindle. To allow clearance for the locking spindle I2, the inner end of the actuating member 3 has a transverse notch .or is bifurcated, as shown in Fig. 11. It may then be said that the flat portions of the operating spindle II, at the opposite sides of the locking spindle or rod I2, engage the inner ends of the furcations of the actuating member, as shown in Figs. 1l and 16.

In the lock shown'in Figs. l and 2, I have provided an outside knob 2l and an inside knob 22. In the outer end of the outside knobl is a recess 2|EL in which is pressed a cylinder lock which consists of a cylinder 23 and a plug 24, which are provided with the usual tumbler pins 25. The cylinder 23 is made of a soft metal core 23a and having an outer hard metallic face 23h. The soft metal member 23a is pressed into the recess 2la of the soft metallic core 2Ib in the outer knob and is thereby frictionallyt held in position. The plug 24 may be held inplace by a pin 26 at its inner end.

The spindle II has a collar IIa at its outer end which engages a shoulder 2Ic in the outer knob 2I, and thus locates the spindle in this knob. The inner end of the spindle extends into the axial Vportion of the inner knob and is secured in place by a screw 2l. The knobs 2'I and 22 may have shoulders 2ld and 22Lzwhich may extend into recesses in escutcheon plates 28,

at the opposite sides of the door for preventing endwise movement of the spindle.

Or, if desired, the inner ends of the hubs of the knobs 2| and 22 may engage the opposite sides of the bolt housing I to prevent endwise movement of the knobs. In this event, the escutcheon plates 28 may have larger holes to receive the hubs of the knobs. Such structure is shown in Fig. 19. f

The locking spindle V I2 vis provided at its outer end vwith a bifurcated portion, which may consist of a longitudinal projection I2a and an offset lug I2b, between which the inner end of the key 29 may be inserted for rotating the locking spindle about its axis, that is, when the cylinder lock allows the key to be turned.

The locking spindle has a radial lug I2c which rides in an arcuate groove IIb in the operating spindle to allow the locking spindle to be rotated but prevent axial movement of the latter. The inner side of the operating spindle, between the arcuate groove IIb and the latch housing I, is provided with a longitudinal recess IIC in which is located an outwardly bowed leaf spring 30. The intermediate portion of the leaf spring is urged against either one of. two flat sides I2d and I 2e on the locking spindle, resiliently to hold the locking spindle in either an unlocked or locked position.

The locking spindle is pro-vided with a second radial lug I2f which extends into a spiral groove 3|a of a locking slide 3I. This locking slide is located at the diametrically opposite side of the locking spindle or rod from the actuating spindle, and-is slidable against the flat sides of the latter within the hub of the outer knob. The inner end of the slide has a longitudinally extending locking projection 3|b which is adapted to extend into a transverse recess 3e spaced inwardly from the recess or bifurcation at the inner end of the actuating member, but which is separated therefrom by a suitable wall or lugs 3f, as shown best in Figs. 11 and 16.

Thus, when the locking spindle is rotated, the lug I 2c prevents longitudinal movement ofthe locking spindle, but the lug I2f, operating in the spiral groove 3Ia, forces the locking slide 3I to move longitudinally. When the key 29 is turned counter-clockwise, the locking projection 3 Ib enters the locking recess 3e of the actuating member, preventing the latter from being forced outwardly by the operating spindle, and thereby also preventing the operating spindle from being rotated.

At the axial portion of the inner knob is axially rotatable a button l I, the outer end being suitably shaped to permit ready rotation. This button is preferably made from ya` soft metal. The inner end cf this button has a square shank IHa which enters a square recess I2a`t the inner end of the lockingspindle or rod. Intermediate the outer end of the button and the square shank is an enlarged collar Ib provided with longitudinal ribs Mc. This collar is adapted to be forced through a central hole 22b at the outer end of the knob, slightly distorting the longitudinal ribs IIIc but preventing the ready removal of the button after being forced into position.

This button is adapted to rotate the locking spindle from the inside, as in the case of the key 29, from the outside, for forcing the locking lug SII in interlocking relation with the latch actuating member. v

In the modied structure of my lock, shown in Figs. 19, 20, and 21, only a locking means'is provided at one of the knobs. This lock is intended for use in such cases'in which the door is to be locked from one side only, suchlas'in the case of a bathroom lock. This locking means is shown as consisting only of a button 4I, as described above. However, it will be noted that in order to provide some means of unlocking the door from the opposite side, as required by some municipal ordinances, I have provided an opening 42a at the outer side of the axial portion of the knob 42. Into the opening l2a` may be inserted a screw driver, or other suitable instrument, for engaging the outer end of the locking spindle 43. In this instance, the outer end is shown as provided with a screw slot 4t2L whereby the spindle may be easily rotated for unlocking the door.

A feature of this modification consists in lthe pressing of one end of the spindle 45- into the hub of the inner knob 44. To facilitate such operation and retention of saidone end of the spindle, I have provided longitudinal ribs 45a.

A feature of all of the structures shown is the provision of the spindle receiving bore in the hub of such shape that relative rotatable movement is prevented by one with respect to the other. Such rotation preventing means may consist of oppositely located lugs in the respective hubs, as indicated by 44a-in Fig. 2l.

In the modification shown in Figs. 17 and 18, I have shown a square spindle 5| .for .operating the actuating member 3. However, this square spindle is inserted through a longitudinal hole 52a, of square cross-section, in an operating collar 52, which is rotatably mounted at the inner end of the housing I. This collar has a cut-out portion intermediate its ends, forming separate faces or lugs 52b which engage the inner ends of the aforementioned furcations, designated 3g at the inner end of the actuating member 3. The bifurcation or recess at the inner end of the actuating member permits rotation of the spindle 5|.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modifications thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the same. but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination, and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a latch actuating member in the housing for operating a latch, the latch actuating member having a bifurcated inner end, a latch operating spindle of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section rotatably mounted in and extending transversely through the housing, a locking spindle at the axial portion of the latch operating spindle, the former being rotatable with respect to the latter, one side of the operating spindle being flat and each of the portions thereof at the opposite sides of the locking spindle engaging one of the ends of the furcations of the actuating member, means for rotating the spindle, and locking means for operating the locking spindle and causing the latter to interlock with the actuating member.

2. In a lock of the class described, a latch housing having latch means therein, a rotatable operating spindle for retracting the latch means, said operating spindle being of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section, a locking rod located at the axial portion of thespindle, the spindle and rod having means for holding, the rod against endwise movement but permitting relative rotative movement of the rod and the spindle, a locking slide at the side of the rod opposite the spindle, said slide being longitudinally shiftable but rotatably xed with respect to the spindle, and a pin and spiral groove means in association with the slide and locking rod for forcing the slide longitudinally in interlocked relation with the latch means when the rod is rotated.

3. In a lock of the class described, a latch mechanism, means for operating the latch mechanism, and a locking rod in association with the operating means for locking the latch mechanism, one end of the rod having a longitudinal extension and also a lateral projection spaced laterally from the extension, the space between the extension and the projection adapted to receive a key through the operating means for rotating Athe rod.

4. In a lock of the class described, a latch mechanism, means for operating the latch mechanism, and a locking rod in association with the operating means for locking the latch mechanism, said operating means having a hole in alinement with the adjacent end of the locking rod. and the latter end of the locking rod being transversely slotted for receiving a at instrument through said hole to facilitate the rotation of the rod.

5. In a lock of the class described, a latch mechanism, an 'operating spindle for the latch mechanism, said spindle being of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section and an operating knob having a hub and a longitudinal recess in the hub for receiving one end of the spindle, the recess of the hub having opposed lugs for engaging the lateral portions of the flat side of the spindle, to prevent mutual rotation of the knob and spindle.

6. In a lock of the class described, a lock operating means, a lockingr rod mounted in the operating means for locking the lock, and a locking button at the outer end of the operating means, said locking button and the adjacent end of the locking rod having a sliding connection of polygonal cross-section whereby the locking rod is rotated with the rotation of the button, said button having a collar intermediate its inner and outer ends and longitudinal ridges at the periphery of the collar, said operating means having a hole in alinement with the locking rod through which the inner end and collar of the button are adapted to be inserted for interlocking engagement with the locking rod, said ridges being slightly distorted when the collar is forced through said hole, thereby preventing ready withdrawal of the button.

7. In a lock of the class described, a latch housing having latch means therein, a rotatable operating spindle for retracting the latch means, said operating spindle being of substantially semicylindrical cross-section, a locking rod located at the axial portion of the spindle, the spindle and rod moving means for holding the rod against endwise movement but permitting relative rotative movement of the rod and the spindle, a locking slide at the side of the rod opposite the spindle, said slide being longitudinally shiftable but rotatably xed With respect to the spindle, and means in association with the slide and locking rod for forcing the slide longitudinally in interlocked relation with the latch means when the rod is rotated.

8. In a lock of the class described, a lock operating means, a locking rod movably mounted in the operating means, and a readily-distortable soft-metal locking button at the outer end of the operating means, said locking button being operatively connected to the adjacent end of the rod, said operating means having a hole in alignment with the rod through which the inner end of the button is adapted to be inserted for operative engagement with the rod, said button having intermediate its ends a channel portion which is positioned opposite and rotatable in said hole, the portion of the button outwardly from the channel portion being substantially larger than the hole and the portion thereof inwardly from the channel portion being enlarged, the latter portion being slightly distorted when forced through the hole, thereby preventing ready withdrawal of the button therefrom.

9. In a lock of the class described, a lock operating means, a locking rod movably mounted in the operating means, and a readily-distortable soft-metal locking button at the outer end of the operating means, said locking button being operatively connected to the adjacent end of the rod, said button having a collar intermediate its ends and longitudinal ridges at the periphery of the collar, said operating means having a hole in alignment with the rod through which the inner end and collar of the button are adapted to be inserted for operative connection with the operating rod, said ridges being slightly distorted when the collar is forced through said hole, thereby preventing ready withdrawal of the button therefrom.

10. In a lock of the class described, an operating spindle means for the lock, a knob for one end of the spindle means, the outer end of the knob having an opening, and a lock means for the operating spindle, said lock means having a readily-distortable soft-metal body extending through and rotatable Within the said opening and operatively connected to the spindle means, the portion of the body inwardly of the opening having substantially longitudinal ridges tapered inwardly, the outer ends of the ridges being of such size and so positioned as to be slightly distorted when the same is forced through said hole, thereby preventing ready withdrawal, of the end of the body having the ridges, through the opening of the knob.

l1. In a lock of the class described, an operating spindle means for the lock, a knob for one end of the spindle means, the outer end of the knob having an opening, and a lock means for operating the spindle means, said lock means having a readily-distortable soft-metal body extending through and rotatable within the said opening and operatively connected to the spindle means, the portion of the body at the inner end of the opening being enlarged and longitudinally ridged, the ridges being tapered inwardly, the enlarged and ridged portion of the body being of such size and so positioned as to prevent withdrawal of the enlarged and ridged portion of the body from the knob through the opening.

JAMES HILLGREN. 

